Thomas Aquinas

He was guarding the camp with his sword, etc. 1 Mac. 3:3. These words fit the subject matter of this epistle to the Colossians, because the whole condition of this life is in the warfare of those who fight, whose dwellings are called camps. Job 7:1: The life of man upon earth is a warfare. Therefore the dwellings of the faithful are figured under the name of camps. Whence the Church bears the likeness of a camp. Gen. 32:2: These are the camps of God.

This camp is attacked in three ways. By some, as it were besieging it, who openly rise up against the Church. Apoc. 20:8: They went up over the breadth of the earth, and went round about the camp of the saints, and the beloved city. By others it is deceived secretly, as by heretics. Rom.: by sweet speeches and blessings they seduce the hearts of men, etc. 2 Tim. 3:13: But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse, erring, and driving into error. By some, namely domestic ones, through the various corruptions of sins which come from the corruption of the flesh. Gal. 5:17: the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. Eph., last chapter: our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, etc.

The prelates of the Church are its leaders, Ps. 67:28: the princes of Judah their leaders, whose office it is to fortify the camp of the Church against all the aforesaid things. Against sins indeed, through exhortations. Is. 58:1: declare to my people their wicked doings, and to the house of Jacob their sins. Against heretics, through sound doctrine. 1 Tim. 1: embracing the faithful word which is according to doctrine, etc. Against persecutors, by example, namely by patiently enduring. Thus Paul protected with the spiritual sword, because in his epistles he rebuked sins, refuted heresies, and encouraged to patience. Concerning the first, Eph. 5:3: but fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be so much as named among you, etc. Concerning the second, Titus 3:10: a man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, avoid, etc. Concerning the third, it is evident throughout the whole of 2 Cor. 11 how he encouraged to patience.

And thus two things are touched upon in the words proposed, namely the condition of the Church, when it says camp, and the zeal of the apostle, there, he protected.

Now in a camp there ought to be vigilance to avoid evils. Deut. 23:14: that thy camp may be holy, and nothing of filthiness may appear in it. Likewise, order toward the leader and toward itself. Cant. 7:1: what wilt thou see in the Sunamite, but the companies of camps? Gen. 32:2: these are the camps of God. Likewise, terror toward enemies. Cant. 6:3: terrible as an ordered battle-line of camps.

But the apostle was solicitous concerning protection like a shepherd, whose office it is to guide the sheep diligently lest they go astray. John 10:4: he goeth before them, etc. And thus the apostle did. Phil. 3: be ye imitators of me, as I also am of Christ. Likewise, to feed abundantly, lest they fail. 1 Pet. 5:2: feed the flock of the Lord that is among you, etc. And thus the apostle did. 1 Cor. 1:2: as to little ones, I gave you milk. Likewise, to defend powerfully, lest they perish. Ecclus. 7:6: seek not to be made a judge, unless thou be able by strength to break through iniquities. 1 Kings 17:34: thy servant kept his father's flock, and there came a lion, or a bear, etc.

And therefore it is said that the apostle was guarding the camp, that is, the Church of God, with the sword, which is the word of God, as is said Eph. 6: for the word of God is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two-edged sword, etc.

Thus, then, the subject matter of this epistle is this: because in the epistle to the Ephesians he shows the manner of ecclesiastical unity; in the epistle to the Philippians he shows its progress and its preservation; but in this one he deals with its preservation against heretics, who had corrupted them by seducing them, etc.